What Do I Need to Bring?

Reference · Checklists

What to prepare for a New Zealand citizenship application by grant

New Zealand’s Citizenship Office asks for a birth record, a passport or travel document and a recent photo. An online applicant needs an identity referee. A paper applicant uses a witness and supplies original documents.

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What Do I Need to Bring? Editorial Team

Choose your application method before gathering the final recordsNew Zealand citizenship by grant documents and identity confirmation checklist
  1. 01
    Prepare identity and travel evidence

    Gather the birth record, current or most recent travel document and a qualifying photo. Source 1

  2. 02
    Choose the correct identity confirmer

    Use an eligible referee online or a witness for an in-person or postal application. Source 1

  3. 03
    Match the document format to the method

    Upload digital copies online or provide originals for a paper application. Source 1

Online and paper applications use different identity confirmation and document handling.

Source 1 Source 2

Start with the three main evidence items

The government lists a full birth certificate or birth record, a current passport or travel document, and a recent photo that meets its requirements. If the travel document expired, the guidance asks for the most recent one. Check whether your circumstances require anything else. Source 1

An online referee can have a current or expired passport

For online applications, choose an eligible identity referee who meets the relationship and other rules and agrees to act. The referee may hold a current or expired New Zealand passport. You will need their contact details and passport number. Source 1

A paper witness has a different passport rule

For in-person or postal applications, the witness needs a current New Zealand passport and must meet the other listed conditions. The witness signs the back of a photo and completes the witness section of the form. Source 1 Source 2

The document format changes with the submission route

Online applicants upload digital copies of their original records. The government asks applicants filing by post or in person to provide original documents. Follow the instructions for the route you choose. Source 1 Source 2

Sources

Mark the items you have ready

Use the list for your own preparation. Check your appointment instructions for the final requirements.

  • Ordinary application · Full record, with any additional evidence requested by the Citizenship Office Source 1

  • Ordinary application · Current document or most recent one if expired Source 1

  • Ordinary application · Photo less than six months old meeting the published requirements Source 1

  • Online application · Eligible person with a current or expired New Zealand passport, plus required contact and passport details Source 1

  • Paper application by post or in person · Eligible person with a current New Zealand passport who signs a photo and completes the form section Source 1

  • Online application · Complete readable digital copies of original documents Source 1

  • Application by post or in person · Provide the originals, following the paper application instructions Source 1

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